Truck



J. F'. JOY

`lune 13, 3.939.

TRUCK Filed May 27, 1936 3 Sheets- Sheet l @d WUHT L55@ Eig H l! VT MI J. F. JOY 2,161,818

TRUCK Filed May 237, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 `)une 13, 1939.

J. F JOY TRUCK June 13, 1939.

Filed May 27, 1936 Patented `une 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT FFiC TRUCK of Massachusetts Application May 27,

17 Claims.

This invention relates to trucks, and more particularly to improvements in transport trucks for coal mining machines.

An object or this invention is to provide an 5 improved transport truck for a coal mining machine. Another' object is to provide an improved transport truck for a coal mining machine whereby the truck may be propelled by the power of the mining machine supported thereon. A

l further object is to provide an improved transport truck for a coal miningv machine having improved driving connections between the mining machine and the truck Wheels. Still another object is to provide an improved automatic coul pling mechanism between a driving element on the 'machine and a cooperating driving element on the truck, whereby when the machine is moved into transport position onto the truck, the driving elements are automatically coupled gf, together. A still further object is to provide an improved cable reel for the power conductor cable of the mining machine motor, and improved driving and controlling means for the cable reel. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

3L, In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved transport truck.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the improved truck shown in Fig. l, with a coal mining ma- 35, chine shown in transport position thereon, as

indicated in construction lines.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.V

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View in longitudinal sec- ,m tion showing the improved automatic coupling mechanism together with the cooperating elements of the machine and truck, the view taken in the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 4,-, in the plane ci Fig. 4, showing parts of the coupling mechanism in a different position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in longitudinal secn tion taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is enlarged fragmentary vertical sec 50 tional view taken in the plane of Fig. 6, showing details of the cable reel construction.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the hydraulic pump.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on line 8 9 of Fig. 3.

1936, Serial No. 82,154

(Cl. 10S-161) In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a transport truck, generally designated I, of improved construction, comprising a rigid truck frame 2 mounted on and propelled by traction means, herein truck wheels 3 adapted to run along a mine trackway 4, and having a tilting front pan or ramp E. The truck frame consists of parallel machine-receiving and guiding frame members 6, 6 held in rigid spaced relation by transverse frame members l, 1, and these frame members 5', t carry usual axle boxes 8 in which the truck wheel axles 9 are journaled. The tilting ramp 5 is pivotally connected at I6 to the forward end of the rigid truck frame 2, and consists of a bottom supporting plate I I having upstanding guide flanges `l2 at the sides thereof, these guide flanges being iiared outwardly at the forward end of the ramp to provide a relatively wide opening to facilitate movement of the mining machine onto the ramp, and this bottom plate is formed with a projecting frame portion I3 in the form of operating means, so that when the machine moves upwardly over the inclined bottom of the ramp onto the rigid truck frame, the machine, as it passes over the operating portion I3, effects tilting of the ramp upwardly from its lower dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2 to its raised transport position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. The frame members G, B of the rigid truck frame 2 are formed with upstanding guide flanges I4, I4 at the sides thereof, cooperating with the guide flanges I2, I2 on the ramp for guiding the machine as it moves relative to the truck. The coal mining machine is indicated in construction lines at I5 in Fig. 2, and may be of the same general character as that described in a copending application,l Serial No. 71,653, filed March 30, 1936, now matured into yPatent No. 2,131,178, although it may be evident that the improved transport truck may carry coal f.

mining machines of various other types.

As described in the copending application above referred to, the mining machine transmission has a longitudinal transmission shaft IG driven under friction control, and secured to the rear end of this shaft by a screw Il is a coupling member I8, herein arranged within an annular housing I9 formed integral with the rearward portion of the machine frame. This annular housing has a tapered exterior portion 2li adapted to cooperate with a corresponding tapered interior bore 2| formed on a housing 22 secured, as by screws 23, to a geark housing 24 mounted on the rearward portion of the truck frame. As the machine moves rearwardly onto the truck, the tapered portion of the housing I9 is received within the Ytapered bore ofthe housing 22 so that the couf within a rotatable truck driving member 29. The rearward portion of this axially movable coupling member 21 is formed with clutch teeth 3|).

slidingly interlocked with internal clutch teeth 3I formed on the member 29. .A ring 32 seated within a groove formed within the member 29 providesV a stop with which the forward ends of the clutch teeth 30 on the member 21 are engage,

able for limiting outward movement ofthe coupling member 21.

21 isa coil spring 33 Yfor urging. the coupling member 21 into its outermost position against the stop ring `32, as shown in Fig.A 4. When Vthe couplirrgV member I8 is moved intorcoupled relation with respect tothe member 279, the clutch teeth l25 thereon, in the event of non-alinement with the teeth 26, will move the coupling member 21 rearwardly against the tension of the coil spring to the position shown in Fig. 5 until the teeth 26 areV brought into registry with the teeth 25, and then the parts are automatically coupled together by the Vcoil spring 33 snapping the coupling member 21 into clutched relation with respect tothe member I8. It will thus be seen that an auto- Ymatic yieldable coupling device is provided Ybetween the machine Yand truck so that when the machine is moved into transport position on the truck, the truck driving member on the machine is, 'coupled automatically tothe truck driving member on the truck. ,i

As shown Vin Figl 4, the truck driving member 291s journaled in ballbearings supported within 1 the Yhousing 22'and has formed thereon at its irearward Yend a bevel gear 34, meshing with re- K,

verse bevels 35 Vand 36, herein journaled on ball bearings 31 supported by a horizontal Vshaft 38, herein. extending transversely of the truck and Y suitably journaled in ball bearings 39 supported within the gear housing 2,4. Thebevel gears 35,

v 36 constitute a reversing mechanism and are selectively connectible in driving relation with the shaft 38 by means of aV sliding jaw clutch 49 splined to the shaft 38. and having Vclutch teeth engageable withthe clutch teeth on the adjacent inner` faces of the bevel gears. Theclutch 40 is operated by means of a shipper yoke 4I having a suitable operatingv handleY 42.Y Keyed to the shaft 38 is a chain' sprocket 43 connected by an Y endless chain connection 44 to a chain sprocket 45 keyed to the rearV truck wheel axle 9.` The front and rear truck wheel axles 9, 9 are connected'in driving relationby a kchain and sprocket connection 46'.V It will thus be seen that when one or the other of the bevel gears 35, 36 is connected by the clutch 40, to the shaft 38 4andthe, automaticcou- `plingV between the machine land truck is connected, thetruck wheels may be driven from the drive shaft Illofthe mining machine through the couplingV elements, bevel gear 34,-.one of the reverse Y,bevels 35, 36', shaft, 38., and the chain and sprocket `connection 43,;44, 45.v Keyedto'theend .of the shaf-t38, opposite from thechainsprocket, is a brakefdrum 4 1.,V with which cooperates a brake band 48`having' a suitable operating handle 49,

Interposed between the mem- Y ber V29 and the axially movable coupling member Y ported within the. gear housing 24.

end of the shaft 1I has a reduced portion pro- 'the truck, and is relatively narrow in a vertical direction and of aV diameter substantially greater than the height and substantially equal to the Width of thetruck. This cable reel comprises a drum'54 having its hub 55 journaled on ball bearings 56'supported by a vertical shaft 51, hereinY formedintegral. with a member 58 rigidly secured to the platform 5I. Secured to the upper side of the drum by screws 59 is a detachable plate 6IJV having its hub 6I journaled on abear-Y ing sleeve 62'su`pported by a cylindrical bearing support 63`coaxial`with the shaft 51 and formed integral with a conduit member 64 rigidly secured` Ato the reel cover 6,5; This conduit member 64 has, passage 66 for receiving the conductor cable V61Y leading from the reel to the mining machine motor controller 68 mounted on the truck.

'Ihe means for driving the reel from the motorV Y of the mining machine comprises, as shown in Fig. 3, a bevel gear 69 keyed to and driven by the shaft 38 and meshing with a horizontal bevel gear I0 formed integral with av vertical shaft 1I, hereinv journaled within ball bearings 12 sup- The lower jectingV within` a bore formed in the hub of a chain sprocket 13,` the chain sprocket hub being within the gear housing.V The reduced lower end of Vthe shaft 1I carries a Ypawl 1,4. (see Fig. 9) yieldably held by ar spring pressed plungerV 15 in journalled in ball bearings likewise supported" f engagement witha ratchet-tooth 16 formed withfV` in the sprocket hub. The chain sprocket 13 is connected by an endless drive chain 11 to a chain sprocket -18`(see Fig. 6) coaxial with'the cable reel beneath the latter and .secured by screws 19 todriveamember journaled. on aball bearing 8l supported Vby the verticalshaft 51. The member 80 has a flange 82 supporting an annular friction clutch andretarding plate 83 frictionally engageallle, with a lower annular plane surface 84 onthe cable reel drum 54, and this, friction plateprovides a4 friction drivefor theA cable reel and acts to frictionally resist cable reel rotation when the latter is disconnected from its. drive. When the truck is propelled forwardly along the mine trackway as itenters a room off. from Vthe Amain mine entry, the ratchet slips relative. to thepawl 14 L so thatthe conductorA cable, which is connected to the mainpower line in the entry, isjunwoundfrom the reel, thereel `rotating in a direction to pay outthe'cable under the frictional resistance -of the frictionplate. When the truck is propelled, rearwardly.. along'the room track- Way toward the entry, the, pawl 14 engages the ratchet vtooth 16, and, asaresult, the cable reel is drivenbypowerin a direction to wind in the conductor cable.. It, is` accordingly evident that the. ratchet andpawlaffQrd a unidirectional drive rMeans Vis providedA forlifting. the cable reel y from its frictional engagementzwith ,the friction clutch ring 83, comprising a servo-motor having a hydraulically operated piston 85 reciprocably mounted in a cylinder 86 formed axially within the shaft T. The upper end of this piston is engageable through a ball thrust bearing 81 with an upper plate 88 integral with the cable reel drum hub 55. Mounted on the truck frame is a pump cylinder 89 having a bore 99 in which is reciprocably mounted a piston 9| provided with a suitable cupy packing 92. -Also guided in the bore 99 is a plunger 93 having openings eli connecting the space above the plunger 93 with the space below the'same, and interposed between the upper surface of this plunger and the packing 92 is a member 95. Interposed between the bottom of the plunger 93 and a plug 96 threaded within the lower end of the bore 99, is a coil spring 9i for urging the piston 9| into its uppermost position. Threaded at 98 within the top cylinder head 99 is an adjusting screw |99 having an operating handle |9|. A conduit |92 connects a passage |93 communicating with the lower end of the pump cylinder with a passage |94 communicating with the cylinder bore 85 below the hydraulic piston 85. When the pump piston 9| is moved downwardly by the adjusting screw against the tension of the coil spring, liquid under pressure isV forced from the cylinder bore 99 through the passagev |93, conduit |92 and passage |94, to the cylinder bore S5 below the hydraulic piston 85, thereby efecting movement of the latter upwardly to lift the cable reel from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. '7, and as a result the cable reel is disconnected from frictional engagement with the friction clutch ring 83, so that at that time the cable reel may be freely manually rotated. When the cable reel is so raised, the operator may grasp the conductor cable 53 and freely unwind the cable from the cable reel. When the cable reel is in its lowered position, in frictional engagement with the friction clutch ring, inadvertent unwinding of the conductor cable due to free rotation of the cable reel is prevented, due to the drag of the friction. The friction clutch ring 83 also provides a frictional driving connection between the drive sprocket 18 and the cable reel, so that when the cable reel is in its lowered position, in engagement with the friction ring, the cable reel may be driven by power from the motor of the mining machine from the coupling mechanism I8, 21, 29,'bevel gear 34, one or the other of the reverse bevels 35, 36, shaft 38, bevel gearing 69 and 19, and the chain and sprocket c-onnection T3, and 18. When the cable reel is lifted by the hydraulic piston out of engagement with the friction plate 83, the drive between'the chain sprocket 19 and the cable reel is, of course, interrupted. y

The mining machine I5, as described in the copending application above referred to, is of the room and pillar, floor cutter type, comprising relatively rotatable feeding and controlling drums each respectively cooperating with flexible feeding and controlling cables. During the loading of the machine onto the truck, one of the cables is extended from its drum to a hook |95 (see Figs. 1 and 3) formed integral with the gear housing 24, and as the drum is rotated by power from the motor of the mining machine, the cable is wound in, thereby moving the machine rearwardly up over the ramp and onto the truck; and when the motor of the mining machine is stopped by the controller 68 on the truck, rotation of the drum is frictionally resisted by its driving transmission, so that the machine is held in transport position on the truck vby vthe feed cable connected to the hook |95. When it is desired to unload the machine from the truck, one or the other of the cables is extended from a drum on the machine and connected to one of the hooks |96 secured to the sides of the tiltable loading ramp 5, as shown in Fig. l, so that when the cable is drawn in by its drum by power from the motor of the machine, the machine is moved forwardly off from the truck. As the machine moves forwardly from the truck, the rampv 5 tilts downwardly to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2, so that the machine may move thereover from the truck onto the mine floor. Supported at the sides of the platform 5|, at the rearward end of the rigid truck frame 2, are platforms |91 and |98 on which the machine operator and his helper may ride during movement of the truck about the mine from one working place to another; and projecting from the sides of the controller housing are rail-like handles |99 which may be grasped to enable the machine operator and his helper to retain their positions on the platforms. It will be noted that the handle 9 of the motor controller and the clutch handle 42 and the brake handle 49 are located above the platform |98 on which the machine operator rides, so that movement of the truck about the mine may be readily controlled by the operator.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved transport truck for a coal mining machine is provided, whereby the machine may be readily loaded and unloaded onto and. o from the truck, and which has improved auto-- matic coupling means whereby when the machine is moved into its transport position onto the truck, the truck driving element on the machine is automatically connected to the truck driving element on the truck. It will further be noted that an improved cable reel is provided, having improved driving and controlling means therefor, whereby the power conductor cable may be wound in or paid out by power, and having improved reel-lifting means whereby the cable reel drive may be disconnected so that the cable may be freely manually unwound from the drum. Other uses and advantages of the improved transport truck will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art:

While in this application lthere is specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes of illustration only,

moving said cable reel axially to disconnect the rotating said cable reel, and a hydraulic servo- *l5-f moto;` comprising-ga hydraulically operatedpistonA forV `nioving said. cable reel- Vaxially to ydisconnect said reel from `its rotating-means? 3. a mining machine transport truck, the` combination comprisingfa. truck, frame adapted to receiveva mining mechanism.having. a driving motor,ahorizontal cablenreel rotatable about a vertical axis, said reel kmountedmn saidtruck frarnegrand having Wound thereona power conductor cable forsaid motor, motor operated meansforo-rotating said cable reel, and aservo-motor forV liftingv said reel-to disconnect the' reel -from Y its rotating means.

4. In aminin g. machineftransport. truck, the

L combination comprising a truck frameradapted to Vreceive-a mining mechanism having a driving motor, a zhorizontal cable: reel: rotatable about a vertical axiswsaidrreel mounted on said truck framefand `having VWound;thereon "a 1 power conductor' cable Yfor. said., motor',v motor-[operated means,A for` rotating said ycalolei reel, and Va 'hydraulic servo-motor; comprising. af hydraulically` Y operatedl piston forliftingsaid.cable `reeltodisconnect said reel. fromeitsrotatingf means.

.5:1111 a: min-.ing machine-transport truck@ thecombination of 1a truckyframeadapted `to receive a. mining; mechanism having a driving motor,` a horizontal ,cable reel'- mounted onsaidtruck frame ior rotationV about a vertical-axis and having wound thereon-a powerconductor cablefor said Y motor,motoroperated means for driving said reel`including a friction driving device including frictional Ldriving-, means,through which said reel isgdryen,4 and means for interrupting reel drive comprisingga Yservo-motor forrliitingsaid reel toV disconnectfsaid-reel-from said frictionaldriving Vcombination:comprisingfa truck, frame adapted tov-receive a mining-,mechanism havingfa driving Inmotor,VV ahorizontaljcable reel rotatable about a verticalaxis, said :reel:A mounted onv said truck framegand,havingfyvound Athereon' a power conductor cable fori-said motorjmotor operated means for4 rotating-esaid; cablevv reelincluding a friction 'driye=,meansl coaxialywith thereel;l and ahy- Ydra Voprorated;p iStQIl .for liftingsaidcablevreel to rejservo-Inotorgcomprising a hydraulically lease said frictional driving means; to disconnect '7. Infa miningmachine transport truck, the combinationwitha truck driving` element onjthe machinegan'dl a i jrtruclg; gdriving; ,elementY on the;v

truckbf -a horizontally disposed automatic self` alriingz j couplir) e.k `-mecliianism for;` automatically cor-ineting V`said gtrnckl drivingryelement on'V the.

truck in driving relation Ywithsaid drivinggrele-e mentv Aonthemachine as-gthelatter is movedhorizontally into its transport position ong .the truck.' (14|V 8. In a miningmachine-` transporttruck,vr the combinationewithga .truckdriving `element Von the machine andatruckdriving elementen thevtruck,

of. a automatic self-,alining lcoupling mechanisml forrautomatically connecting said-truck driving elementen thertruck i-nydriving. relation .with said driving3 element-on the. machine i asv thelatter is Y mz ed into its3 l transportpositioneon .the Y truck; Y said coupling mechanismincludingself-alining el- Y ementzsfanda yieldably:mountedaxially movable Y couplingV element coaxialy therewith forY automaticallyg-connecting said; Adriving elements together-j .when-the-:machinecis Im'ovedfinto .its transport 9- .minnie-.machine transport '-truck, the

combination-with a truck..drivingY element Qn thef aimera machine and a truckdriving. element.- ca -:the truck, of. an automatic selfali-'ni-ngT couplingV` mechanism for. automatically:l connecting..v said` truck driving element on: the .truck Vin.:l drivingv-relationwith said driving-.elementv on-` the machineV as the latter` isv moved .intolits-.ftransportf position.

on the truck,V saidcoupling.mechanismincludingV self-alining..elements-andt a yiel'dablly` mounted'. axiallyi movablelcoupling element coaxial-therewith for automatically co'nnectingr.sa1cbdriving;A

truck driving element on the truckindriving-.re-f

elements, together Whenthelrmachine is movedV lation with 'saidr driving element onf-the fmachine. Y

asthe .latter is movedfinto. lits :transport positionon the truckiisaid coupling-mechanism. including" cooperating self-aliningelements and-a yieldablyfV mounted axiallyv movable couplings-element-co-` axial therewith `for 4automaticallyconnectingfsaid.Y Y

driving elements together- When-the machine-isf moved intoits transport position,.saidfcouplinga` element automatically 'yieldablefinftheevent off rm'salinement offsaid driving: elements;V andra-- springior automatically -moving.,saidcoupling:

elementcinto itsA connectingzposition when-.saiddriving elements. are. brought f into -alinementf 1l. In a mining machinetransporiftruck,.aVV

truck frame adapted :to receive a :miningfmachine for transport,` the machinehaving Y.cutting means and a driving motor for the-:cuttingsmeansyfa cable reel-mounted on said.truck..and-.havingf Wound .thereon a power:conductor..cablemformthel mining machine motor,` motor operatedfmeansfor rotatingsaid cablereelfanda servo-motoiwfonA moving saidcable reel axiallytodisoonnect saidreel from its rotatingmeans Y 12. In .a mining machine transportfitruckaatruck frame adapted tosupport a vmininggmaa chine, the, machine having',4 cuttingameans-arldf` a driving motor i for .the. cuttingfmeansya cablel reel' mounted on said truckaframe .and having:

wound thereonfa .power :conductor: cable.-for.the.

mining machine motor,A meansfdrivenafby.-saldi. u

motor whenv themachine is-fsupported on .they

truck for; `rotating -fsaid ijcable. reelr and-.a servo-- motor formoving said cable-reel@axial-lyf .tosdis-f' connect said reel from'lits rotating means;

Y13. VVA mining4 machine :transport ftruck, na :truck :g

framev adapted to.receive'= a-miningzfmachine VVAforY transport, 'a cab1e;reel mounted:onaisaidetruck.4 frame'and having wound thereon a power-con.-' ductor cable, motor opera-ted-meansfforfrotating said cable reel, VVand -a-fservo.motor. uforV movingrsaid cable reel axially todisconnectfsaid reel from'.` Y

vits rotatingmeans.

14. A mining'machine transportitruck, a truck frame-adapted .to`A receive a `miningfmachine for@ transport, Vvthe.` mining'f-.machine-:having .-a motor. adapted 15o-propel. the truck, ajcablereelmounted; on said truck framev and' havingnvoundl lthereon-a power conductor cabler-fforfsaid zmotor; -meansf driven .by said.y :motori when thez-machinesis'- sup-` ported on, fthe,- truck.-forrotati-ngsaidf-:cable rreel, Vand a Vservo-motor.:for-movingV said. caloleoreel` axially to disconnect :said freelefromfitslrotating,

means.

15.5V In4 a :miningnmachineltransport truck,.lthef combination with a truck.` driving velement Iona mining machine to be transported and a truck driving element on the truck, of an automatic self-centering yieldable coupling having selfcentering coupling means for automatically centering said elements and for connecting said truck driving element on the truck in driving relation with the driving element on the machine as the latter is moved into its transport position on the truck.

16. In a mining machine transport truck, the combination with a truck driving element on a mining machine to be transported and a truck driving element on the truck, of an automatic self-centering yieldable coupling arranged with its axis extending longitudinally of the truck parallel to the path of movement of the machine on the truck and having self-centering coupling means for automatically centering said elements and for connecting said truck driving element on the truck in driving relation with the driving element on the machine as the latter is moved into its transport position on the truck.

17. In a mining machine transport truck, the combination of a truck frame adapted to receive, a mining mechanism having a driving motor, a horizontal cable reel mounted on said truck frame for rotation about a vertical axis and having Wound thereon a power conductor cable for said motor, motor operated means for driving said reel including a friction driving device including frictional driving means through which said reel is driven, and means for interrupting reel drive comprising a servo-motor for lifting said reel to disconnect said reel from said frictional driving means the Weight of said cable reel resting on said frictional driving means when said servo-motor is inactive effecting the frictional driving connection between said driving means and said reel.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

l CERTIFGATE 0F CORRECTION. patent No. 2,161,818. June15, 1939.

, JosEPHF. Jox.

It is hereby certified that error appearsI in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page-2, second column, line 25, after the word "has" insert oa; line 117, for r"to drive a read to a drive; page h, first column, line 5h., claim 5, for "dr-ven" read driven; line 5h, and second column, lines 15 and 18, claims 'T and l0 respectively, after "truck" inserta conn'na; page 5, second column, line l, claim 17, strike out the comma after "receive"; line 15, same claim, after means insert a comma; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform, Ato the record of the case in the Patent Office. v

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of October, A. D. 1959..

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

